Comparison between the shortened US version (identical to the US DVD from VCI Video) and the uncut extended version (main film of the German DVD re-release from Imperial Pictures)

- 2 cuts
- Runtime difference: 213.4 sec (= 3:33 min) [in PAL].

Made in Indonesia in 1977, A Fistful of Dragons (also internationally known as The Steel Fisted Dragon) is a fine example of how the Hong Kong/Taiwan proven formula of cheaply produced endless clunkers was adapted in other Asian countries at the time. There are definitely some creative camera angles to be discovered here and a healthy roughness including a few offbeat mini-splatter peaks. All with a trashy, charming flair, anyway.

The opening credits sequence on the German tapes differs from the one on the US DVD and the identical first German DVD by CMV. Both tapes have a much longer sequence here with what must be original Indonesian credits, which is missing entirely from the DVD master. The sequence used on DVD, on the other hand, also appears in the film itself on both VHS editions, but only 11 minutes later without credits inserts. For the DVD reissue on June 25, 2021, they have now added the longer version from the German VHS back into the qualitatively superior DVD master. In addition, they have reconstructed another part of the very first scene of the film, which was also missing from the old DVD master and was only included on the VHS by Solitair.

Runtimes are ordered as follows: US version on the DVD re-release in PAL / Extended version on the DVD re-release in PAL

00:00 / 00:00-00:30

At first there is a long tracking shot over the woods. After that, you also see Tan Young chopping wood for the first time. Finally, a close-up of the fire and with the following shot of the arsonists, the CMV/US DVD (and thus also the "US version" included as a bonus on the DVD reissue) sets in again.

Note: This scene was added from the Solitair VHS. The other VHS edition by Sunrise Video was missing a longer piece right at the beginning and thus this beginning as well.

29.9 sec

Alternative.
02:16-03:54 resp. 12:21 / 02:46-05:58 resp. 14:25-16:02

Both German VHS versions had an alternate opening credits sequence that initially includes an antagonist. The title here is (translated) The Merciless Fists of Kung Fu, otherwise Indonesian credits. For the long version DVD reissue, this has now been reinserted.

On the US version / cmv DVD, you can see the training sequence here instead, which is shown about 11 minutes later on both German VHS versions. There are similar shots against a red background, but with the hero dressed differently. The DVD has English credits for this, while both German VHS editions (and thus the extended version of the new German DVD) are completely clean in that regard.

US version / cmv DVD	Long version on DVD reissue / German VHS

VHS 95 sec (= 1:35 min) longer



32:39-32:52 / 36:21

Not a real cut, but a mistake on the US master, which was also the inspiration for the CMV DVD: it simply repeats the short bit where the long-haired baddie reaches for the shovel and Tan Young has to dodge some blows.
Not included in cut duration/amount.

+ 12.7 sec